I have this moment received a card from the Duchess-Dowager of Ancaster, to summon me for to-morrow at three o’clock—­I suppose to sign Lord Cholmondeley’s marriage-articles with her daughter.(778) The wedding is to be this day sevennight.  Save me, my old stars, from wedding-dinners!  But I trust they are not of this age.  I should sooner expect Hymen to jump out of a curricle, and walk into the Duchess’s dressing-room in boots and a dirty shirt.

(773) A splendid edition of the Fables of Dryden, ornamented with engravings, from the elegant and fascinating pencil of Lady Diana Beauclerc, was published in folio in 1797.-E.

(774) On the 12th of April, a series of resolutions, moved by Mr. Grey, the object of which was to pronounce the armament against Russia inexpedient and unnecessary, were, after a warm debate, negatived by 252 against 17?- A similar motion, made on the fifteenth, by Mr. Baker was rejected by a majority of 254 to 162.-E.

(775) James-Brownlow-William Gascoyne Cecil. in 1823, he succeeded his father as second Marquis of Salisbury.-E.

(776) The wife of the banker in St. James’s Street.

(777) Mrs. Buller’s only child.

(778) Lady Charlotte Bertie.

Letter 377 To Miss Berry.  Strawberry Hill, April 23, 1791. (page 492)

To-day, when the town is staring at the sudden resignation of the Duke of Leeds,(779) asking the reason, and gaping to know who will succeed him, I am come hither -with an indifference that might pass for philosophy; as the true cause is not known, which it seldom is.  Don’t tell Europe; but I really am come to look at the repairs of Cliveden, and how they go on; not without an eye to the lilacs and the apple-blossoms:  for even self can find a corner to wriggle into, though friendship may fit out the vessel.  Mr. Berry may, perhaps, wish I had more political curiosity; but as I must return to town on Monday for Lord Cholmondeley’s wedding, I may hear before the departure of the post, if the seals are given:  for the Duke’s reasons, should they be assigned, shall one be certain?  His intention was not even whispered till Wednesday evening.  The news from India, so long expected, are not couleur de rose, but de sang:  a detachment has been defeated by Tippoo Saib, and Lord Cornwallis is gone to take the command of the army himself.  Will the East be more propitious to him than the West?

The abolition of the slave-trade has been rejected by the House of Commons,(780) though Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox united earnestly to carry it:  but commerce chinked its purse, and that sound is generally prevalent with the majority; and humanity’s tears, and eloquence, figures and arguments, had no more effect than on those patrons of liberty, the National Assembly of France; who, while they proclaim the rights of men, did not choose to admit the sable moiety of mankind to a participation of those benefits.